FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday that COVID-19 isn’t "going away on its own" in urging Kentuckians to get vaccinated as the state reported nearly 800 new virus cases and 13 more deaths.
More than 400 coronavirus patients are hospitalized in Kentucky, the governor said.
"As we can see from today’s case numbers, this virus isn’t going away on its own," Beshear said. "We have to come together to stop it. Hundreds of Kentuckians are still getting sick every day. Our people are still dying from COVID-19. But we have the power to defeat this pandemic now, and the way we can do that is by choosing to get vaccinated."
Anyone 16 or older is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Kentucky.Â
The state reported 785 new virus cases Wednesday. The 13 additional virus-related deaths included six that were discovered through the state’s audit of deaths from prior months to get a more comprehensive count of the death toll.
The statewide rate of positive cases was 3.39%.
Once 2.5 million Kentuckians receive at least their first COVID-19 shot, Beshear has pledged to lift capacity and physical distancing restrictions for nearly all businesses, venues and events catering to 1,000 or fewer patrons.
